The story behind this painting is about life's adventures. It’s a family album of past, present and future experiences between family and friends. They ride on a bale of turtles, through the sea of life and towards whatever comes next.
The turtles in this piece help the family appreciate everything that has shaped them into the people they are today. Without these experiences, we won’t grow, become wiser or aware of our strengths.
Turtles teach us to find inner happiness by simply being grateful for what we have – good and bad.
Dragonflies flutter around the family, a reminder of the colour and magic a mother sees in the world. More importantly, the dragonflies also remind her to reflect on how she sees herself and her strength. They travel with her everywhere she goes.
Dragonflies symbolise emotional strength and wisdom. Born near the water, they move to the air when their wings become strong enough. The colour of their wings change as they mature – an analogy for as we age, we become wiser, stronger and our colours become more and more vibrant. The dragonflies in this painting represent not only a mother’s strength, beauty and wisdom, but they encourage her to embrace change, have courage and move forward without fear.
Blossoms grow from her hair, leaving a trail behind her, just as she leaves her special mark on the world. And flying with them is a Golden Spinebill bird, representing the friendships she has and how much they mean to her family. This little bird brings so much joy.
Kookaburras symbolise family. They are seen here as present family, and family who have passed, but never been forgotten, still held dearly in their hearts.
I hope you love it, Dana. I loved painting it for you.
